Ch. 61

How the Cult Saves the World

What flashed through my mind was a memory of the combat technique that the Diego Church often used against the major religions.

The Diego Church had a unique way of breaking through the Protection of the gods.

'Sacrifice.'

It sounded like a noble word at first glance... but it required the 'sacrifice' of people, literally using them as shields.

If they pushed several people into the Protection, a gap would open for a moment. And they would enter through that gap.

'That's not faith, that's just meat shields!'

It was a cruel and brutal act, but they used it without any hesitation. Diego was originally an Evil God, and the Diego Church that served him sometimes used it too.

The ultimate goal of the Evil God was to dominate humanity, so he didn't easily kill them. But he didn't hesitate to use them for his needs, which made him feel even more vicious.

'But...'

Terdius wouldn't do such a thing voluntarily, given his personality. Of course, it was possible that his settings had changed since this world was a hidden route.

"Well, then."

While I was lost in thought, Terdius left without a word and disappeared. The open window rattled in the wind.

'...Ah, no way. It can't be.'

After Terdius left, I resumed my meal. I told Zain and Troy that Terdius had some urgent business and left, and we finished our meal comfortably.

After that, we returned to our lodging and took a rest. Before long, Zain and Troy fell asleep.

There were three single beds in the room we were staying in, so we could sleep comfortably.

But I couldn't sleep at all. It was partly because of the snoring of the two, but mostly because of Terdius.

---Where are you going, my child?

'I'm going for a walk for a bit.'

---Really? Okay. I'll look around the temple.

'Yes. You do that.'

I answered Kyros briefly and put on a robe. I pulled the hood over my head and carefully left the lodging and went outside.

I walked slowly and looked around. It was time to think about the quest.

'Investigate what's happening in Bahano...'

What exactly did that mean?

It was a quest that wasn't in the original work, so it felt difficult. But my intuition, honed by many experiences of the Woosebeop, told me. If I wanted to get a hint, I had to listen to 'rumors' or recognize the 'situation' that was happening somewhere.

'Hmm.'

I looked around first. There were people lying around everywhere, addicted to Happy. There were also people who walked like zombies.

'It's brutal.'

I saw the same scene as I did in Rovel for the first time in a long time.

'It's also unpleasant.'

I felt like I was the only survivor of a zombie apocalypse. At least the zombies didn't attack me, which was a relief.

As I scanned their faces and walked, I soon entered a dark place. It wasn't as narrow as an alley, but it was dark because the moonlight didn't shine well.

Thud!

Someone suddenly appeared. It was as if he fell from the sky, literally appearing in front of me in an instant.

Could it be Troy? I thought and looked up. And I opened my eyes wide.

The purple hair fluttering in the night wind, the beautiful appearance that stood out even in the darkness, and the body of a Banra.

Damn. It was Khalid.

'Is this why Terdius told me to leave Bahano?'

Damn. While I was cursing in my mind, Khalid took a step toward me.

"Where did that nice smell come from? It's you, Leviathan."

Khalid smiled and approached me. His appearance made me shiver for a moment, and my body stiffened.

It was true that people couldn't scream or move when they were too scared.

But I had to calm down.

I stared at Khalid and quickly racked my brain.

There were two apostles of the Diego Church looking for Bahano in the original work. Of course, there could be more since this was a hidden route.

But for now, the apostles of the Diego Church in Bahano were Terdius and Khalid.

The good thing was, if Khalid was here, it meant that Terdius was nearby too.

'...Or not? He should be.'

Judging by the fact that I ran into him at the inn during the day, Terdius must be around. So I just had to hold on until he found me. Khalid probably wouldn't kill me easily.

"Hello, Leviathan."

Khalid smiled with a clear eye that showed no sign of what he was thinking. And he raised his hand to greet me.

I reluctantly lifted the corners of my mouth and greeted him back.

"Yes, hello."

Khalid quickly came closer. He took off the hood I was wearing and reached out his hand. His hand grabbed my chin and lifted it. I looked straight into Khalid's eyes.

"You're still pretty."

It was a compliment that others would be happy to hear, but my feelings were just one.

Scary, damn.

I couldn't show any signs of wavering. I pretended to be calm and said.

"Thank you for the compliment."

I hated this guy. I hated him so much, but I didn't show it on the outside.

Especially when I thought of what happened in the Cartel Forest last time, I wanted to swing a mace at Khalid, but my life was precious.

I had to endure. Yes.

"But what are you doing here? I never thought I'd see you in Bahano."

Khalid smiled sweetly and let go of my face. The place where he had held me briefly felt numb. As I rubbed my chin, he spoke again.

"Did you come here for the Kyros Church's business?"

I hated Khalid.

"I just came to visit as a missionary."

I answered flatly, but Khalid clapped his hands and was delighted. Where did the applause come from?

"Really, is that so? I'm quite lucky. To see you here."

He smiled prettily, as if he could charm anyone, male or female. But I was immune. Kyros was much more beautiful.

That's when it happened. A whip appeared in his hand.

'Oh no, don't tell me.'

I quickly backed away. But Khalid was faster.

Whip- Snap!

The whip danced in Khalid's hand and in a blink of an eye, he grabbed my right wrist.

"Argh!"

A sharp pain shot through my wrist.

"Where do you think you're going?"

"W-what are you doing?"

I bit my lip.

"I'm taking you to my mansion, of course."

Suddenly, the moonlight illuminated Khalid's face. His eyes glowed with madness.

'This pervert!'

I tried to call the kids right away. But.

Clang-!

A sword energy flew from somewhere and cut off the whip that bound my hand. At the same time, a strong wind brushed past my ear.

"Argh!"

Khalid let out a pained groan. Terdius, who had appeared out of nowhere, was holding Khalid's whip-wielding hand tightly.

'If you're going to come, come faster.'

But thanks to Terdius, I preserved my life. I glanced at the two of them and then looked at my wrist. I wondered if it was bleeding from the pain, but fortunately, it was only bruised.

"What are you doing, Fifth Apostle."

Even as I thought that, Terdius didn't let go of Khalid's wrist.

"Huh, what about you? What are you doing?"

Khalid's brow furrowed. But Terdius' eyes were also fierce.

"Don't touch him."

"What?"

"The moment you touch him, it won't end with this."

Terdius' sword was pointed at Khalid's throat since who knows when.

'He's stronger than I thought.'

Khalid was not weak either, but Terdius from the hidden route was no less than him. I hadn't noticed it much until then.

"Ha, fine."

Khalid looked at me with a dumbfounded expression. Then his lips twisted into a smirk.

"Well, there will be another chance."

Clack!

Khalid quickly shook off Terdius' hand. And he disappeared into the darkness in an instant.

As I was looking at the spot where Khalid had vanished. Terdius came to my side.

"Leviathan, are you okay?"

"Ah, yes. Well..."

He saved me. Terdius, he must have remembered the oath he made with me. I almost got into big trouble.

"Thank you."

"No."

Terdius stared at my wrist and took something out of his pocket. And he handed it to me. It was a flute smaller than his palm. Why was he giving me this?

"If you need me in this city, blow this. I'll help you once."

"No, why..."

But Terdius didn't answer me and disappeared. In my hand, only the flute that Terdius gave me remained.

'Thanks for saving me, but.'

Why did he help me? I didn't understand. But I kept the flute anyway.

On top of a tall building. Terdius was standing there.

He was watching Leviathan's back as he walked back to his lodging after standing on the street for a while.

'Why did I...'

He wondered in his head.

A while ago, giving the flute to Leviathan was something that even Terdius himself didn't understand.

In fact, even going into the inn during the day was like someone was telling him to go in and he moved his feet as if he was bewitched.

'Did he... Did he somehow pull me in?'

He met Leviathan there and then he felt like the fog that filled his head clear up a bit.

And it was the same now. Even though he only stayed by Leviathan's side for a moment, his head felt clearer.

It was obvious that it was because of that. He didn't save him because of the oath he made with Leviathan, but because he felt a strange urge to save him.

'It's weird. But...'

He couldn't resist that urge.

That mysterious feeling was like a sense that was inherent in his instinct.

The next day, I woke up from my sleep in the late afternoon. I had spent a lot of energy on the walk I took last night because I couldn't sleep.

But I didn't bother to explain what happened last night to Zain and Troy. I just told Zain to be careful because I thought I saw the guy I met in the Cartel Forest last time. I also told Troy to watch out for some crazy guy.

And so, when the night was deep. I left the lodging with Troy and Zain.

'I'll never wander around alone at night again.'

I learned that for sure from last night.

"We're heading to the Rizes Church, right?"

"Yeah. Kyros told us where the capital branch of the Rizes Church is."

It was information that I already knew, but it was also information that Kyros imparted to me through prayer.

We headed straight there.

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Notes

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Ch. 61

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